Check in

24th January 2018 posted in
Landlords

Inventory report

A comprehensive inventory is essential in the case of any disputes over damage, so it’s important to get this right from the start.

It’s a good idea to use an independent provider or your agent rather than do this yourself, as this will make the inventory more credible in the event of a dispute. As part of both our Tenant Find and Fully Managed Services, we will carry out a detailed inventory, with photographs, including a schedule of condition.

A professional inventory will note meter readings, plus the condition of everything in the property, including carpets and flooring, woodwork, kitchen units and surfaces, appliances, bathroom suite, décor and more. It will also cover the outside of the property, including outbuildings.

If managing yourself, you and the tenant should initial all pages of the inventory.

Checking the tenant in

When we check in a tenant, we see this is our opportunity to begin to build a good working relationship, explain how everything works and go through the inventory together.

Check-in checklist

Done

Go through the inventory and sign it with the tenant present.

Explain how the hot water and heating system works.

Explain how smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors work.

Explain how any appliances work.

Give the tenant a list of the keys you have provided.

Provide a list of contacts and when and why they should call. This could include contact details for you, the letting agent, a plumber for emergency boiler repairs, etc.

Change the names on the utility bills.

Periodic checks

Building a good relationship with tenants makes it easier for both you and us as agents, so visiting the property every three to six months helps to build this relationship. These visits are not just to check for damage to the property but to ensure the tenant is happy and comfortable, and to iron out any issues they may be having, but may not have reported. Visits can also be helpful in finding out if they intend to stay or are planning to leave at the end of their tenancy period.

“With our Fully Managed Service, we carry out regular visits to the property. This only helps us assess if the tenancy is going well, but allows us to build up a relationship with the tenant and iron out any little difficulties.”